Air outlet construction



Nov. 20, 1962 c. N. ODAY ETAL 3,964,550

ATR OUTLET CONSTRUCTION Filed oct. T, 1960 3,064,556 AR OUTLET CUNSTRUCEN Cortland N. Uijay, Port Washington, and George il. b'weeney, Manhasset, NKY., assignors to Air ievices, ine., New York, NX., a corporation or' New York Filed Oct. 7, 1969, oer. No. 61,142 7 Claims. (Cl. 98-114) The present invention relates to an air outlet construction and it particularly relates to a readily detachable air dittuser or register outlet.

Although not limited thereto, the present invention will be particularly directed to a rectangular or elongated Iair conditioning, Ventilating, or heating outlet positioned in `a ceiling or wall structure which may be readily removed from the ceiling or wall and replaced in the ceiling or wall Without the necessity of screw or bolt connections.

ln connection with air conditioning, Ventilating, heating, or cooling air outlets for rooms, oces, lofts and other enclosures used by oice or working people, considerable diiiculty is experienced in attaching screws, bolts or other elements which are necessary when the device is inserted in place in the ceiling or wall or removed from its location in the ceiling or wail.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide a novel air outlet xture of the character described which may be readily inserted into r removed from a desirable Opening in the ceiling or wall without the necessity of laboriously removing screws, rivets or bolts, and which may be readily inspected or serviced without a great deal of manual labor and without considerable inconvenience to the people working or ernployed in the enclosure if the servicing is carried out during working hours.

Another object is to provide a simple, durable, readily detachable and insertable air ditrtuser outlet, of square, rectangular or other contours, which may be removed from and inserted in a ceiling structure in a minimum rof time by relatively simple manipulation without the employment of tools and without the need of hiringv special workmen.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only and not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

ln accomplishing the above objects, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a frame receptacle is employed which is mounted, desirably in the ceiling, wall, sill or oor and which may form the end of an internal conduit system conducting Ventilating, conditioning, heating or cooling air into the enclosure from ya concealed or external conduit system and from a central source, which may supply the air in compressed or expanded condition.

In one preferred form of the invention, the end conduit opens or is connected to the ceiling, wall, sill or door by a frame which extends around the recess and which acts to receive the diffuser or grill member serving as air inlet and also serving to control the flow of air into the room or enclosure.

Desirably, the Outer element, which is removable or detachable, has an enclosure conforming in shape and size to the fixed casing mounted in the ceiling, and has an outer peripheral ange for cutting or ltting `around the edges of the xed enclosure or collar which is mounted in the ceiling, wall, sill or iioor structure.

Desirably, interiorly of the collar or neck, which is the permanent `frame mounting in the ceiling, is located a number of cross-members having slots or openings therein, desirably of elongated shape with rounded end portions.

Un the sides of the conforming neck or enclosure structure of the removable air diffuser or air outlet unit are positioned a plurality of V-shaped spring elements, or V-shaped clip elements, having out-turned end portions which are designed to be received in special slots, and which, because of their resiiiency and tendency to form a fairly wide V and press against the ends of the slots, will tend to hold the detachable diffuser or grill tightly in position within the fixed frame.

ln one preferred form of the invention, the spring engagement elements consist of coiled base elements which lit around pins or studs on the sides of the external frame of the insert element which is to be mounted within the holding structure, which is in turn mounted inside ot the ceiling.

Normally, the resiliency and tendency to spring apart of the legs of the V latches will be such that the detachyable unit will be held tightly and firmly in position.

On the other hand, as against a very sharp downward pull, the detachable unit may be moved downwardly from its connection with the legs, being more closely compressed, but total removal cannot be achieved in view of the fact that the out-turned ends of the spring legs will catch in the ends of the slots and will retain the insertable unit in partly removed condition, or suspended condition, so that the interior of both the fixed element on the ceiling, as well as the partly removed element, may be inspected for servicing purposes.

If it then be desired altogether to remove an insert element or the diffuser or the register outlet, this is accomplished by means of pressing together the ends of the legs and the out-turned portions thereof, so that they may be passed downwardly through the attachment slots.

Thus, the entire fixture, whether it be `an air conditioner outlet, or an air diffuser inlet, or even a register or grill for heating or cooling the air, may be repaired, inspected or replaced.

The unit is particularly advantageous since it eliminates objectionable appearance of screws on the face of the unit.

In re-inserting or replacing the unit, the outer ends of the legs with their in-turned end portions are pressed together, inserted within and through the slots in the xed cross members of the sleeve in the ceiling, and then the xture may be pressed home so that it will nest closely against the outer periphery of the fixed insert sleeve member.

Although the present invention is readily applicable to air outlet registers, or outlet grills or air outlet diffusers, it will be particularly described in its application to an air diffuser outlet.

Furthermore, `although the present invention is also` applicable to square, rectangular or circular or ovular diffuser outlets, it will be particularly described in its application to an elongated rectangular air outlet diffuser construction.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the in-Y vention consists of the novel construction, combination and `arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes7 variations and modiiications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a separated view of the xed frame in the upper part of the figure in perspective and the removable air diffuser outlet in the lower part of the ligure, showing .9 them in the position in which they will be placed either after removal of the central unit or just before insertion of the central unit.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end sectional view, showing the trame with the detachable unit in the manner in which it is inserted or removed therefrom. V

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end side sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, showing the detachable inside diffuser element in its final position telescoped home within the outer frame and held in position by the resilient V-shaped member.

FIG. 4 is an end top plan view of the unit of FIG. 3, with the inside unit telescoped or pressed home in its final position.

FIG. 5 is a transverse side sectional view taken upon the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, showing the diiuser unit inserted home within the outer frame structure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, there is shown the frame structure A which may be tted into an opening in the ceiling and which may be connected to an internal conduit system supplying Ventilating, cooling, heating, or conditioning air to a room or enclosure.

The external frame has the cross-members B, which may consist either of V-shaped or angle brackets at each side, or cross-bars, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

These cross-members B are provided with the slots C, which, as shown, are of double width and have curved end portions. The xed enclosure A has an internal outer frame structure D which is designed to form a seat or recess for the frame or periphery ofthe detachable element or structure E.

The detachable air diffuser or air outlet unit E has a central, inwardly telescoping unit F having sutiable arrangements of inclined vanes G (see FIG. 4) separated by ns or partitions H to give a suitably controlled directional eect to the outward flow of conditioned, heating, cooling or Ventilating air, as the case may be.

The outer portion of the inside telescoping unit E has the outwardly extending ange P, which nests in the pocket or enclosure D to form a tight connection, thus forcing the air to ow out over the vanes G and between the partitions H.

On the sides of the telescoping element F are positioned the V-shaped spring attachment clips or units J, having the out-turned end catch portions K and the central coiled engagement pivot portions M which are received by the stud elements N.

Referring specifically to the outer structure A, it has the elongated side walls 20, with the end connecting walls 21 forming a complete enclosure or sleeve inserted and xed in position in the ceiling and with the outer edge 22 desirably ush with the plaster face of the ceiling.

The internal upper end or inside end 23 of the structure A is desirably provided with an in-turned ange member 24, which acts to locate the side anges 25 of the crossmembers B.

These side flanges 25 are screwed or riveted in position by the elements 26 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The slots C, as shown in the cross-members B, have double riveted ends 27 and extend in pairs on each side of the cross-member B.

The cross-member B is shown as extending from side wall 20 to side wall 2.0, but it may project just shortly into the inside area between the walls 20 to carry the double slot C and serve as a means to receive and engage the V'shaped clip members I.

i it will terminate at its upper edge 42., substantially below said cross-member B and substantially below the outer edge of the fixed sleeve A.

A gasket 43 may t around the Vinside face of the periphery of the flange P of the inside unit E, as is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

This gasket may press up against the in-turned member or seat member D, while the outer walls 44 and 45 of the flange will tit closely inside the interior faces 46 and 47 and the outer sleeve unit A. (See particularly FIGS. 2, 3 and 5).

This fitting of the ange P and its nesting tightly inside of the seat D will form an airtight, leakproof connection in which the outer face 48 will slightly project beyond the lower edge 22 of the outer sleeve A, forming a very neat nish for the air conditioning outlet unit.

The V-shaped spring slip K desirably has two relatively strong spring legs 55, which are joined integrally together by the connecting coil M around the reduced diameter portion inside of the head 55 of the stud N.

v C, as shown in FIG. 3, they will so strongly and tightlyV The double slot C is suciently-wide so that it has The spring legs 55 are relatively sti and tend to spring outwardly into the relatively wide V structures, as shown in FIG. 1.

When, however, they are in home position in the slots press against the edges of the slots C, as indicated at 57 in FIG. 3, as to hold the inside unit E tightly in position inside of the outer sleeve A, with the ange P pressed inside the lower edge of the structure A and against the partially inwardly directed ange D.

The resiliency of the leg elements 55 should hold the inside elements E suthciently tightly in the closed position as indicated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, regardless of any vibration or normal banging or changesin expansion or contraction.

However, when a substantial force is applied, exceeding this frictional force as exerted at 57 to pull the members E downwardly out of the sleeves A, the out-turned ends K will catch or latch against the curved ends 27 of the slots C.

However, when a sharp contracting force is applied,

as indicated at 58 in FIG. 2, by pliers or by the fingers,

the out-turned elements K may be pressed suiciently inwardly as to pass downwardly through the slots C in dismantling or upwardly in assembly.

It is thus apparent that the present invention has provided a novel, readily detachable and readily insertable air diluser, or recess, or air grill unit, which may be inserted into or removed from an outer sleeve A Without screws, bolts or special tools. l

The inside element E may be partly lowered, with the elements K latching in the slots C, for inspection without total displacement, and then it may be readily shoved back into the position of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

On the other hand, the latch elements K may be pressed suiiiciently together, as indicated in FIG. 2, to permit complete removal. 1

As many changes could be made in the above air outlet construction, and many widely different embodiments of this invention could be maderwithout departure from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the Y nature of the invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what is claimed is:

1. A detachable air outlet unit including an outside sleeve element mounted on a ceiling and connected to receive air from an internal or exterior conduit system, and an inside detachable telescoping sleeve element having air control members therein, said elements being rectangular and elongated in one direction and each having opposite telescoping vertical side and end Walls which are parallel to each other and closely spaced when the inside element is mounted inside the outside element and the outside element having slot latching structures with the slots extending parallelly to the long dimension of the rectangular elements, said slot latching structures extending in a horizontal plane inwardly from the upper ends `of the side walls of the outside element, said elements having intertting air sealing constructions and V-shaped spring elements having upwardly divergent legs and having integral coiled connections at the lower ends of the legs, said legs extending into and through said slots and horizontal pivots extending outwardly from the side walls of the inside element forming pivot mounts for said coil connections and permitting partial or complete detachment of the inside element for inspection, servicing and replacement.

2. A detachable air outlet unit including an outside sleeve element mounted on a ceiling and connected to receive air from an internal or exterior conduit system, and an inside detachable telescoping sleeve element having air control members therein, said elements being rectangular and elongated in one direction and each having opposite telescoping vertical side and end walls which are parallel to each other and closely spaced when the inside element is mounted inside the outside element and the outside element having slot latching structures with the slots extending parallelly to the long dimension of the rectangular elements, said slot latching structures extending in a horizontal plane inwardly from the upper ends of the side walls of the outside element, said elements having interlitting air sealing constructions and V-shaped spring elements having upwardly divergent legs and having integral coiled connections at the lower ends of the legs, said legs extending into and through said slots and horizontal pivots extending outwardly from the side walls of the inside elements forming pivot mounts for said coil connections and permitting partial or complete detachment of the inside element for inspection, servicing and replacement, said latching structures consisting of cross, transversely slotted plates in the outside element.

3. A detachable air outlet unit including an outside sleeve element mounted on a ceiling and connected to receive air from an internal or exterior conduit system, and an inside detachable telescoping sleeve element having air control members therein, said elements being rectangular and elongated in one direction and each having opposite telescoping vertical side and end walls which are parallel to each other and closely spaced when the inside element is mounted inside the outside element and the outside element having slot latching structures with the slots extending parallelly to the long dimension of the rectangular elements, said slot latching structures extending in a horizontal plane inwardly from the upper ends of the side walls of the outside element, said elements having intertting air sealing constructions and V-shaped spring elements having upwardly divergent legs and having integral coiled connections at the lower ends of the legs, said legs extending into and through said slots and horizontal pivots extending outwardly from the side walls of the inside element forming pivot mounts for said coil connections and permitting partial or complete detachment of the inside element for inspection, servicing and replacement, said structures having cross-members on the outside elements with transverse rounded end double slots positioned closely adjacent to the side Walls of the inside element.

4. A detachable air outlet unit including an outside sleeve element mounted on a ceiling and connected to receive air from an internal or exterior conduit system, and an inside detachable telescoping sleeve element having air control members therein, said elements being rectangular and elongated in one direction and each having opposite telescoping vertical side and end walls which are parallel to each other and closely spaced when the inside element is mounted inside the outside element and the outside element having slot latching structures with the slots extending parallelly to the long dimension of the rectangular elements, said slot latching structures extending in a horizontal plane inwardly from the upper ends of the side Walls of the outside element, said elements having intertting air sealing constructions and V-shaped spring elements having upwardly divergent legs and having integral coiled connections at the lower ends of the legs, said legs extending into and through said slots and horizontal pivots extending outwardly from the side walls of the inside element forming pivot mounts for said coil connections and permitting partial or complete detachment of the inside element for inspection, servicing and replacement and V-shaped spring structures having out-turned end portions to act as a linal latch structure and prevent complete removal of the inside element.

5. An air diffuser unit having an outside fixed frame element mounted permanently in an opening in a ceiling and a inside removable diffuser element detachable from said frame element, said diffuser unit having a detachable latch unit for mounting the detachable inside element in the ceiling, said latch unit including fixed horizontal plate in the ceiling and on said frame element positioned substantially inside of and above the level of the ceiling plate having elongated slot and said removable diffuser element having a vertical side wall, a pivot mount on said side wall, a coil wire pivotally mounted on said pivot mount upstanding divergent spring wire legs integral with said coil wire and extending upwardly from opposite sides of said pivot mount and extending through said slot and out-turned upper ends at the upper ends of said legs engaging the ends of said slots.

6. The diiuser unit of claim 5, said spring wire legs extending between the frame element and the diiuser element and said frame element and dituser element being of elongated rectangular shape and said legs and said slot being positioned in Vertical planes parallel to the long dimension of said diffuser unit.

7. The diffuser unit of claim 5, said diffuser unit having an elongated rectangular frame element and an elongated diffuser element each with parallel elongated vertical side walls extending longitudinally and parallelly to each other and the walls of the frame element.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

